Community members attended on Feb. 27 an informational fair to learn about proposed emergency bridge housing in District 9 to help local homeless people living in nearby encampments.

Councilman Curren Price has identified a site on 2817 S. Hope St. to be considered for the temporary housing program. The facility would include up to 100 private beds for homeless men and women, as well as toilets, showers, onsite storage and meals.

This week’s open house brought partners together to share information related to crisis and bridge housing facilities, as well as social services available. The effort was part of Mayor Garcetti’s “A Bridge Home” temporary housing initiative. The citywide program aims to get Angelenos off the streets and on a path out of homelessness and into supportive housing until a long-term home is secured.

For more information on the proposed bridge housing project in District 9, please call Councilman Price’s Constituent Service Center at (323) 846-2651.

About A Bridge Home:

The temporary facilities are constructed on City-owned properties and offer 24-hour security and intensive wrap-around services like case management, mental health care, substance abuse treatment, job training and housing placement, among other support. The program also includes additional resources for Sanitation teams to restore spaces that were previously homeless encampment sites into safe and clean passageways. To learn more about “A Bridge Home,” click here.

Watch coverage from our partners at  L.A. This Week by clicking on the image below.

On Feb. 25, Councilman Curren Price attended the report launch of a first-of-its-kind study by Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA’s) Ad Hoc Committee on Black People Experiencing Homelessness. The study identified institutional and structural racism, discrimination and bias as the drivers of black homelessness today.

The report found that Black people make up 9 percent of the general population in LA County yet comprised 40 percent of the population experiencing homelessness.

"To address the most pressing issue of our time, we will have to take the corrective steps to combat racial inequality and disparities in America," said Councilman Price. “I encourage every Angeleno to read this groundbreaking new report and I look forward to implementing holistic solutions to reduce all homelessness and ensuring that more Blacks do not become homeless."

To read the full report, including 67 recommendations to create a broad framework that will advance equity and eliminate disparities, click here.

The community is invited to attend a groundbreaking on Feb. 28 for the Florence Mills Apartments, which will provide 74 units of affordable housing for veterans and families at the corner of Central Avenue and Martin Luther King Boulevard.  

Increasing the supply of affordable housing is a key priority for Councilman Curren Price because District 9 is one of the most underserved areas in Los Angeles.

“Every individual—regardless of their background, income, zip code or immigration status—is deserving of safe, clean and quality housing,” Price said. “We must expand access to affordable housing to keep our neighbors from losing their homes and end up living on the streets.”

The latest project will pay homage to Florence Mills and the Jazz culture on Central Avenue. The application period for these affordable housing units will not open until 2020. However, during the groundbreaking, the public can obtain general information on the apartments.

Los Angeles City Councilmembers Curren Price and Mitch O’Farrell traveled to Tijuana during Presidents’ Day weekend on a mission to provide food, medical supplies and legal assistance to immigrants seeking asylum at the United States border with Mexico. The Councilmembers were joined by a number of human rights organizations that included the Salvadoran American Leadership & Educational Fund (SALEF), Clínica Msr. Oscar A. Romero, Central American Resource Center (CARECEN-LA), St. John's Well Child and Family Center and the National Lawyers Guild.

The delegation extended humanitarian aid, including mobile health units, legal services outreach, hot meals and other donations, to asylum seekers and refugees from Feb. 16-18. Among the places they visited were a Haitian Church and an LGBT shelter. The partner organizations also provided breakfast and supplies for asylum seekers living on the streets and in shelters while they await being processed with U.S Customs and Border Patrol.

“Today, immigrants are suffering unimaginable injustices and indignities,” said Councilmember Price. “These times we’re living in are quite disturbing and in contrast to our ideals and values.

People’s lives are on the line, and this is not the time to do nothing. Inaction is acceptable. Inaction is complicity. Inaction is inhumane.”

Recently, Councilmembers Price and O’Farrell introduced a motion directing $175,000 to Casa Libre, a youth shelter in Los Angeles that works directly with asylum seekers.

“What is happening at the border is not a national security emergency despite what Donald Trump claims. However, the president has caused a humanitarian crisis,” said Councilmember O’Farrell. “Trump’s border policy is a violation of the Refugee Act of 1980. Women, children, and members of our LGBT community who have fled persecution from their own countries are being victimized again while they seek asylum hoping for a better life in our United States. I am in solidarity with the members of this delegation, demanding we follow our own laws while fighting for common human decency and compassion.”

On Feb. 15, Councilman Curren Price led a special presentation as part of African-American Heritage Month highlighting the people and places that made a difference and had a major impact in District 9.

Councilmember Price recognized Gloria Gray, who was elected last year Chairwoman to the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. He also honored Shelby Williams-Gonzales, the Executive Director of artworxLA, whose mission is to combat the high school dropout crisis by engaging students in arts-based programs. Price also celebrated the accomplishments of Lauren Mackey who opened Mackey Cleaners in 1963.

To close the presentation, Councilman Price showed a video, produced by L.A. CityView 35, on the Original Wrigley Field and the 1963 Freedom Rally, both taking place in the Ninth District. Click on the image below to watch a short video on LA's historical Wrigley Field.

On Feb. 14, the Los Angeles City Planning Commission voted in support of the catalytic “The Fig” project in South Los Angeles, proposed for the corner of 39th and Figueroa streets. This project marks the first time a development of this magnitude is brought south of the 10 freeway and into the heart of one of Los Angeles’ oldest and most historic neighborhoods.

If approved by the full City Council, The Fig will bring an unprecedented 82 new affordable housing units, a 298-room hotel, as well as 222-student and 104 market-rate housing to the Ninth District. The development will help activate the Figueroa corridor and bring much-needed tourism and economic activity to the area.

In addition to new housing, this project will create more than 1,100 good-paying, union jobs during construction with more than 30 percent of the workforce consisting of local hires and more than 440 permanent jobs when the project is completed. The Fig is expected to generate more than $5.5 million in tax revenues annually for the City, benefiting surrounding parks and schools.

“The Fig is crucial to meeting the challenges of our current housing and jobs crisis,” said Councilman Price. “Furthermore, it would net the City more than $5 million annually in tax revenues and has the potential to uplift current and future generations in the District.”

Councilman Curren Price, in partnership with the Offices of Mayor Eric Garcetti and Supervisor Hilda Solis, will host on Feb. 27 an informational fair for the community to learn about emergency bridge housing solutions to help the homeless population in District 9.

The special open house is part of Mayor Garcetti’s “A Bridge Home” temporary bridge housing initiative. The program aims to get Angelenos off the streets and on a path out of homelessness and into supportive housing until they can obtain a permanent home.

Parking on location at The Reef is limited and available on a first come first serve basis. Refreshments will be provided.

About A Bridge Home

The temporary facilities are constructed on City-owned properties and offer 24/7 security and on-site services like case management, mental health care, substance abuse treatment, and housing placement, among other support. The program also includes additional resources for Sanitation teams to restore spaces that were previously homeless encampment sites into safe and clean passageways. To learn more about “A Bridge Home,” click here.

After years of attempts, Los Angeles became on Jan. 1, the second-largest U.S. City to legalize sidewalk vending by approving a permit system.

To ensure compliance with the ordinance, Bureau of Street Services has important information (including rules and regulations and a map of designated “no vending zones”) here. The information is featured in English and Spanish.

In 2013, Councilmembers Curren Price and José Huizar introduced a motion seeking a legal framework to regulate the industry and bring tens of thousands of sidewalk vendors and micro-entrepreneurs out of the shadows.

On Feb.7, nearly 100 individuals representing a wide spectrum of nonprofits attended the “Meet the Grantmakers: Effective Funding Strategies for Nonprofit Organizations.” 

Those in attendance learned about the various guidelines the presenting foundations have, how they function, what they fund, and best practices for nonprofits to position themselves to be awarded a grant.

The event, held at The Reef, was organized by Councilman Curren Price’s Business Resource Center (BRC) and is a part of his ongoing efforts to empower local entrepreneurs and nonprofit partners to better serve the South LA community.  

“As Councilman for the 9^th District and Chair of the Economic Development Committee, I am keenly aware of the role our nonprofit community plays throughout the City,” Price said. “Our nonprofit partners function as a shadow government in supporting, developing and inspiring our residents in ways that local government sometimes cannot.”

In recognition of African-American Heritage Month, Councilman Curren Price on Feb. 5 joined L.A. City Council President Herb Wesson and Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson to honor black actors and filmmakers from the 70s.

The special presentation was part of this year’s “Blacks in Cinema” LA City Hall Bridge Display. Through this very special exhibit, the City pays tribute to scores of titans who fought for representation and inclusion in the face of racial discrimination. 

“This exhibit turns the lens on and tells the stories behind strong black leading men, women and filmmakers.” Councilman Price said. “We acknowledge their bravery and courage to command the spotlight and forever change not only the course of Hollywood but American history.”

Stop by the City Hall Bridge on the third floor this February to learn more about the contributions of these cinematic heroes.